JPH0523474A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the detection accuracy by detecting a water level after a rotation of a washing tank finding the difference in a reference water level value after a rotation corresponding to each load quantity set and stored in advance, determining temporarily a reference value whose difference is minimum as the load quantity, and determining the load quantity by a relation to a feed water time of a specific water level section until reaching a prescribed water level. CONSTITUTION:As soon as an operation of the washing machine is started, water is fed into an outer tag 2. Subsequently, a water level is detected by a water level detector 25, and time for feeding water to a specific set water level range is measured. Next, after feed water is stopped, and after the rotation is continued for a prescribed time, a still water level is detected and stored. In such a way, the washing absorbs water and a lowered water level is detected and stored. Thereafter, feed water is further executed to a high water level and it is repeated successively, a difference to a water level reference value after a rotation of every load quantity set and stored in advance is derived, and the load quantity of the reverence value at the time when the difference becomes minimum is determined temporarily as the load quantity. In such a way, the load quantity is determined in relation to the time required for feed water.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for determining the load of laundry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When performing washing with a washing machine, the amount of laundry, that is, the load of laundry is detected, and various operations in the washing process, rinsing process, dehydration process, etc. are performed based on this load amount. It is known that by adjusting the operation amount and the operation time, washing, rinsing and dehydration suitable for the amount of laundry can be performed and a good finish of the laundry can be obtained.

In a conventional washing machine, an outer tub is supported in a frame, and a drum which is a horizontal shaft type washing tub is rotatably or rotatably supported in the outer tub. There is a drum-type washing machine that reciprocally rotates to perform a washing step and a rinsing step, and rotates the drum at a high speed to perform a dehydration step. The load amount is detected in such a drum-type washing machine. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-218494 discloses a method of performing load amount detection as described below.

In this drum type washing machine, first, water is supplied into the outer tub until the drum containing the laundry reaches a predetermined reference water level, and then the drum is rotated for a predetermined time, whereby the laundry is washed with water. Is fully absorbed, and the water level in this state is detected. Then, the water level difference between the detected water level and the reference water level is calculated, and the load amount in the drum is obtained based on the calculated water level difference. In this case, when water is absorbed in the laundry, the water level decreases by that amount, but the amount of decrease increases as the amount of laundry increases, so the load amount in the drum is increased based on the water level difference. Desired.

[0005]

However, when the laundry is actually washed, some of the laundry stored in the drum in order to carry out the laundry contains water in advance. If the load amount of laundry is detected by the conventional detection method as described above, the load is detected as
Since only a small amount of water is absorbed, the load amount detection result becomes smaller than the actual load amount, and the load amount detection accuracy deteriorates.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of accurately detecting the load amount regardless of the water content of the laundry. ..

[0007]

The washing machine according to the present invention comprises:
After supplying water up to a predetermined water level in a rotary laundry tub that stores and rotates laundry, the laundry is rotated for a predetermined time and the water level after rotation of the laundry tub is detected. In the washing machine for obtaining the load amount of the laundry, means for storing a plurality of reference values of the water level after the rotation corresponding to each of the plurality of load amounts of the laundry, and the water level reaches the predetermined water level Up to a time measuring means for measuring the time required to supply water in a specific water level section, a means for obtaining the difference between the detection result and each of the stored reference values, and a difference between the respective obtained by the means. And a unit for assuming a load amount corresponding to a reference value having the smallest difference as a load amount for laundry, and a unit for determining the assumed load amount in relation to the measurement result of the time counting unit. And

[0008]

After the water is supplied to the predetermined level in the laundry tub containing the laundry, the laundry absorbs water when the laundry tub is rotated for a predetermined time, so that the water level after rotation of the laundry tub is It is lower than the water level before the rotation. The water level after the rotation is
Since the amount of absorbed water increases as the load of laundry increases, the amount of water decreases as the load increases. Therefore, among the reference values of the water level after the rotation stored for each of the plurality of load amounts, the load amount having the smallest reference value with the water level after the rotation is assumed to represent the load amount of the laundry. Assumed. However, assuming the load amount as described above for the laundry containing water in advance, in the laundry containing water in advance,
Since the amount of water supply during the rotation is small, there is a possibility that the amount of load on the side smaller than the actual amount of load may be erroneously assumed. When the time required to supply water in a specific water level section until the water level reaches the predetermined water level is measured, in the laundry assumed to have the same load amount, the laundry that contains water in advance is the laundry that does not contain water in advance. Since the measurement time becomes shorter due to the difference in the amount of water absorbed, the laundry that contains water in advance and the laundry that does not contain water in advance are distinguished by this measurement time. The load is determined in consideration of the water content state of.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a frame made of sheet metal having a prismatic shape with a bottom. At the front edge of the upper surface of the frame 1, a keyboard 11 is provided which accommodates devices such as electronic components and has various operation keys such as a start key for starting the operation of the washing machine arranged on the upper surface thereof. The operating portion 9a, which is an upper plate made of synthetic resin, provided therein, and the housing portion 9b, which is an upper plate made of synthetic resin for housing equipment such as a water supply device, is formed by expansion at the rear edge of the upper surface of the frame 1. ing.

A rectangular upper clothing inlet 10a is provided between the operating portion 9a and the accommodating portion 9b on the upper surface of the frame 1, and the upper clothing inlet 10a is indicated by a white arrow in the figure. An upper lid 14 made of synthetic resin that opens and closes in the direction shown is provided. An outer tub 2 which is a water tank made of synthetic resin formed in the shape of a horizontal drum is disposed inside the frame 1. Inside the outer tub 2, a horizontal shaft type drum made of synthetic resin which is a washing tub. Three
Is rotatably and rotatably arranged coaxially with the outer tub 2.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the outer side of the outer tub 2 of the washing machine according to the present invention as viewed from the front. The outer tank 2 has a flat bottom portion 2c, a side portion 2b curved outward, and an upper portion thereof.
2a is in the shape of a horizontal shaft that projects upward in the shape of a rectangular tube, and an intermediate clothing inlet 10b is opened in the upper portion 2a. And, the upper clothing entry port 10a and the intermediate clothing entry port
It is watertightly connected to 10b by a rubber packing 12. Further, horizontal support parts 20, 20 having a flat bottom surface are projectingly formed at the bottoms of the side parts 2b, 2b of the outer tub 2, and an iron mounting plate 29 is formed on the bottom surface of the horizontal support parts 20, 20. , 29 are fixed.

In the frame 1, the side portions 2b, 2 of the outer tank 2
The upper part of b is elastically suspended and supported from the upper four corners of the frame 1 by the upper supports 5, 5 ... On the other hand, the lower portion of the outer tub 2 is supported by lower support members 6, 6 ... Made of elastic members arranged between the mounting plates 29, 29 and the bottom portion of the frame 1.

Further, in the vicinity of one of the upper supports 5, 5, ..., In conjunction with the vibration of the upper support 5, the upper support 5
An abnormal vibration switch 102 including a micro switch which is turned on and off by this vibration is arranged as a vibration of the drum 3. The on / off signal of the abnormal vibration switch 102 is supplied to a first microcomputer 100, which will be described later.
The microcomputer 100 performs a process of regarding the vibration of the drum 3 as an abnormal vibration when the off time interval of the signal is longer than a predetermined time.

At the center of the front wall of the outer tank 2, a heater casing 40 having a teardrop shape in a front view is arranged. Three attachment fittings 41, 41, 41 are inserted into the heater casing 40 from the outside of the heater casing 40, and the heater 4 for drying has a heating element formed in a horseshoe shape along the side wall of the heater casing 40. Are fixed in the heater casing 40 by these mounting brackets 41, 41, 41. Heater casing
A circulation duct 21 that communicates with the inside of the outer tub 2 through a circulation port (not shown) opening in the front wall of the outer tub 2 and extends upward is integrally formed on the left side of 40 in front view. An air blower fan 22 is arranged above the circulation duct 21, and a connecting pipe 42 is provided between the upper part of the circulation duct 21 and the heater casing 40, and circulation is performed through the connecting pipe 42. duct
The inside of 21 and the inside of the heater casing 40 are communicated with each other.

On the right side of the heater casing 40 when viewed from the front, an overflow chamber 23 is provided for discharging overflow water from an overflow port (not shown) opened at a half height of the front wall. An overflow hose 230 for draining the overflow water in the overflow chamber 23 is connected to the bottom of the overflow chamber 23. An air trap 24 for detecting the water level in the outer tub 2 is integrally formed on the lower portion outside the front wall of the outer tub 2. This air trap
24 is connected via a pressure hose 26 to a water level detector 25 arranged near the operating section 9a. The water level detector 25 detects a change in the water level in the outer tub 2 as a pressure change in the air trap 24, and moves the magnetic material in the coil according to the pressure change, and as a result, the water level change is caused by the inductance of the coil. It is detected as a change.

At the bottom of the outer tub 2, there is provided a drain port 71 having a drain (not shown) for draining the water in the outer tub 2, and the drain port 71 has a drain port 71. A drain hose 72 for connecting the drainage from the outside to the machine is connected. The overflow chamber 23 is connected to the drain hose 72 via the overflow hose 230, and the overflow water flowing into the overflow chamber 23 is led out of the machine by the drain hose 72.
A drainage electric valve 73 for opening and closing the drainage port of the drainage port portion 71 is provided between the drainage port portion 71 and the drainage hose 72,
As is well known, the valve is opened by winding the wire by the rotational force of the drainage motor 79 arranged below the outer tank 2, while the valve is opened by a spring (not shown) by cutting off the rotational force. It is designed to return to the closed state by the biasing force.

Further, a dual water supply solenoid valve 8 is disposed in the accommodating portion 9b (see FIG. 1). The water supply solenoid valve 8 includes a first water supply hose 80 having one end connected to the side wall of the upper portion 2a of the outer tub 2 and a second water supply hose having one end connected to the front wall of the upper portion 2a of the outer tub 2 (not shown). No) is connected.
The water supply discharged from the water supply solenoid valve 8 is the first water supply hose.
It is supplied into the outer tub 2 through 80 and the second water supply hose, and reaches the drainage port 71 through the inner wall of the outer tub 2.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the drum 3 of the washing machine according to the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the drum 3 as viewed from the side. The drum 3 includes a horizontal shaft-shaped bottomed cylindrical body portion 31, a fluid balancer 32 mounted on the opening surface side of the body portion 31, and a front plate 33 fixed to the outside of the fluid balancer 32. The front plate 33 is arranged in the outer tub 2 with the front plate 33 facing the front of the washing machine.

At the center of the front plate 33, a suction port 34 is formed so as to suck in the dry air and forms an axial fan that also serves as a filter. One end of a support shaft 35, which serves as a rotary shaft on the front side of the drum 3, is fixed to the center of the suction port 34, while the end face of the body 31 on the opposite side to which the front plate 33 is fixed is fixed. One end of a support shaft 36, which is provided on the same axis as the support shaft 35 and serves as the other rotation shaft of the drum 3, is fixed to the central portion. The other end of the support shaft 35 is supported by a front bearing 350 arranged at the center of the heater casing 40, and the other end of the support shaft 36 is provided at the center of the rear wall of the outer tank 2. The drum 3 is supported by a rear bearing 360 arranged at the center of the drum 3, and is rotatable and rotatable around the shafts 35 and 36.

On the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 31 of the drum 3, a baffle having a triangular cross section which is bulged toward the axial center of the body portion 31.
31a, 31b, 31c are equally distributed, and this baffle 31a, 31
The b and 31c are adapted to rotate the drum 3 and pick up clothes in the drum 3 when the drum 3 rotates. Also, the body of the drum 3
A large number of lateral ribs 301, 301, ... That extend in the axial direction of the drum 3 are formed on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of 31 so as to project. Further, a large number of through holes 302, 302 ... Are bored in the body portion 31, and water is supplied / discharged into / from the drum 3 through these through holes 302, 302 ,.

Further, a recess 31d formed by reducing the diameter of an arc portion having a central angle of 120 degrees in the body 31 is provided on the outer periphery of the body 31, and the bottom of the recess 31d is recessed. Location 31d A lower garment inlet 10c, which is rectangular in plan view and occupies approximately half the area of the bottom, is provided. Slide grooves 390, 390 for slidably mounting a lid 38 made of a synthetic resin for opening and closing the lower clothing inlet 10c on the front and rear edges of the recess 31d.
Are extended in the circumferential direction. The slide grooves 390, 390 are formed by attaching strip-shaped slide covers 392, 392 to the upper portions of the protrusions 391, 391 provided in the circumferential direction of the body 31, respectively.

The lid 38 is supported in the slide grooves 390, 390, and slides in the slide grooves 390, 390 to open and close the lower clothing inlet 10c. Lid
Between one side edge of 38 and the edge of the lower clothing entry port 10c,
An engagement / disengagement mechanism 37 is provided for engaging and disengaging the lid 38 when the lower clothing entry port 10c is closed by the lid 38. In addition, in the central portion of the upper surface of the lid 38, a storage portion for storing a laundry processing agent such as a detergent, a bleaching agent and a softening agent in advance.
380 is recessed.

As described above, the drum 3 includes the support shaft 35 and the support shaft.
36, it is supported by the front bearing 350 and the rear bearing 360, but the shaft end of the rear bearing 360 projects outward from the rear wall of the outer tub 2, and the drive pulley 74 is attached to this shaft end. It is installed. A motor 75, which is a three-phase induction motor that is a power source of the drum 3, is disposed outside the bottom surface of the outer tub 2. The drive shaft of the motor 75 and the drive pulley 74 are provided via a belt 76. Are linked together.

A magnet 77 is attached to the outer tub 2 side of the drive pulley 74, and the magnet on the outer surface of the rear wall of the outer tub 2 is attached.
A reed switch 78 is arranged at a position facing the 77, and the reed switch 78 closes when the magnet 77 approaches and rotates when it separates as the drive pulley 74 rotates. ing. That is, the reed switch 78 is 1
If it is opened and closed twice, the drum 3 has made one revolution. The output signal of the reed switch 78 is applied to a first microcomputer 100, which will be described later. In the first microcomputer 100, based on the output signal of the reed switch 78, the drum 3 makes one rotation. The rotation number (rpm) of the drum 3 can be detected from the time.

The drum 3 is detected by detecting the temperature of the mounting bracket 41 in any one of the mounting brackets 41, 41, 41.
Drum temperature detector consisting of thermistor for detecting temperature
43 is installed. Further, a heater 27 for heating water having a heating element attached in parallel to the bottom surface is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub 2 in the outer tub 2 by a heater mounting bracket 270 for heating water. It is used to wash the water and warms the water in the outer tub 2. A water temperature detector 28 for detecting the temperature of the water in the outer tub 2 by detecting the temperature of the heater mounting bracket 270 for boiling water is attached to the heater mounting bracket 270 for boiling water.

Next, the structure of the control system of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the washing machine.

In the figure, 100 is the first for performing main control of the washing machine.
A microcomputer 200 is a second microcomputer that mainly controls the inverter of the motor 75. The first microcomputer 100 and the second microcomputer 200 are connected by a communication line, and information communication can be performed between them via this communication line.

The first microcomputer 100 includes an input key circuit 101 composed of various operation keys as described above, the water level detector 25, the drum temperature detector 43, the water temperature detector 28, and the abnormal vibration switch 102. Also, a signal from an upper lid switch 103 that opens and closes in conjunction with opening and closing of the upper lid 14 is input. A first drive circuit 105 and a second drive circuit 107, which are circuits for driving a plurality of devices, are connected to the first microcomputer 100, and the first drive circuit 105 and the second drive circuit 107 are connected to the first drive circuit 105 and the second drive circuit 107 based on signals input as described above. A control signal for driving the device is provided. Further, the first microcomputer 100 is connected to the LED display circuit 104 including the LEDs as described above, and the first microcomputer 10 is connected to the LED display circuit 104.
From 0, the LED display circuit 104 is provided with information for LED display, such as the setting information of the washing course and the operating condition of the washing machine.

A power-off AC solenoid 106, a drain motor 79 and a blower fan 22 are connected to the first drive circuit 105, and respective drive signals are given to them from the first drive circuit 105. The second drive circuit 107 includes a water supply solenoid valve 8, an auxiliary agent injection valve 108 for injecting an auxiliary agent such as softener into the outer tank 2, an upper lid lock release solenoid 109 for unlocking the upper lid 14, a heater 27 for boiling water, The drying heater 4 is connected, and the respective driving signals are given to them from the second driving circuit 107.

The second microcomputer 200 is connected to an inverter drive circuit 110 for driving the motor 75 by an inverter and detecting a generated voltage when the motor 75 generates electric power, and a reed switch 78. A signal relating to the rotation of the drum 3 is given from the reed switch 78 to the second microcomputer 200. Then, the motor 75 is connected from the second microcomputer 200 to the inverter drive circuit 110.
A control signal for controlling the rotation of is provided. In addition, the inverter drive circuit 110 includes the second microcomputer 200.
Based on the control signal given from the above, a drive signal for forward / reverse rotation control and rotation speed control is given to the motor 75 connected thereto.

The first microcomputer 100 is supplied with power for its operation from the first power supply circuit 111, and the first power supply circuit 11 is provided separately from the power supply line.
Between the 1 and the first microcomputer 100, the reset circuit 113 that initializes the first microcomputer 100 when the power is turned on and the frequency of 50HZ, 60HZ of the power supplied from the first power circuit 111 are discriminated. And the operation synchronized with the frequency of the discrimination result is performed by the first microcomputer 100.
The frequency synchronization circuit 115 for performing the above is connected in parallel.

The second microcomputer 200 is supplied with power for its operation from the second power supply circuit 112, and the second power supply circuit 112 and the second microcomputer 200 are provided separately from the power supply line. A reset circuit 114 for initializing the second microcomputer 200 when the power is turned on is connected between and.

The above-mentioned first drive circuit 105 and equipment driven by it, second drive circuit 107 and equipment driven thereby, inverter drive circuit 110 and motor 75 driven by this, first power supply circuit 111, Second power circuit
Power is supplied to the 112 from the AC power supply 300. A power switch 116 is provided on the power supply path from the AC power supply 300, and when the power switch 116 is turned on, power is supplied to the control system as described above and the washing machine can be operated. It is like this.

In the washing machine configured as described above, the first microcomputer 100 and the second microcomputer 100
By controlling 200, a washing course consisting of a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydration process, and a drying process is sequentially executed as a standard, while each process can be selectively performed. Further, before the washing process is performed, the amount of laundry stored in the drum 3, that is, the load amount is detected.

When the operation is started, first, the load amount is detected by the procedure described later. In the washing step, first, water is supplied into the outer tub 2 up to the set water level, and at the same time, the water heater 27 is energized to heat the wash water to the set water temperature set by the operation of the water temperature setting key 111a. Next, the motor 75 is reciprocally rotated in an operation cycle of, for example, 9 seconds on and 3 seconds off, and this is repeated within a set time. As a result, the drum 3 is reciprocally rotated, and clothes are baffled inside the drum 3.
So-called tap washing is performed in which the material is scraped up by 31a, 31b, 31c and falls. Further, the DC braking is applied to the motor 75 for 2 seconds at the same time as the motor 75 is turned off as described above. As a result, the drum 3 suddenly stops, and the reaction force hits the clothes against the inner wall of the drum 3 for washing.

Further, in the rinsing operation during the rinsing step, the motor 75 is controlled in the same manner as in the washing step, and the rinsing is executed. In the dehydration step, the dehydration operation is performed, but when the water level of the outer tub 2 reaches a reset water level that represents a predetermined low water level at which the drum 3 for dehydration can be rotated by the drainage, the motor 75 The number of rotations is increased by control as described below, and the drum 3 is rotated in one direction at high speed. As a result, the clothes in the drum 3 are dehydrated by the centrifugal force.

In the drying step, the drum 3 is reciprocally rotated within a specified time with an operation cycle of, for example, 15 seconds on-1 second off, and the drying heater 4 is energized to blow the fan 22 and the axial fan. The warm air is blown into the drum 3 by the blown air, and the clothes in the drum 3 are dried.

In the washing machine constructed as described above,
As described above, the load amount of the drum 3 is detected before the washing process is executed, and the detection result of this load amount is expressed in a form in which the load amount is classified into three types of light load, medium load and heavy load. .. Explaining the specific weight of this light load, medium load and heavy load, for example, in the case of a washing machine with a design capacity of 4.5 kg,
Light load is 0kg to 1.5kg, medium load is 1.5kg to 3.0kg, and heavy load is 3.0kg to 4.5kg.

The water level of the drum 3 of the horizontal drum type washing machine as described above is divided into 10 equal parts in the radial direction from the rotation center of the drum 3 to the uppermost part of each of the 10 equal parts. The position of is shown as 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees ... 10 degrees from the bottom to the top, and the water level when performing the washing process is set to be 3 degrees to 5 degrees. There is.

Next, a method of detecting the load amount of the drum 3 will be described. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure for detecting the load amount. First, it is determined whether or not a start key for starting the operation of the washing machine is turned on (step S1), and only when it is determined that the start key is turned on, the water supply solenoid valve 8 is opened to open the outer tub. Water supply is started within 2 (step S2).

Then, it is determined whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the first set water level a (step S3). If it is determined that the first set water level a has been reached, the outer tank 2 In order to measure the time t ₀ required to supply water from the first set water level a where the water inside does not reach the bottom of the drum 3 to the second set water level b which is higher than this, start time measurement (step S4).

Next, it is determined whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the second set water level b (step S5), and the second
When it is determined that the set water level b has been reached, the measurement of the time t ₀ is ended (step S6).

Next, it is judged whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the third set water level c (for example, 1 degree) (step S7), and it is judged that the third set water level c has been reached. In this case, the time in the water in the outer tub 2 is measured to measure the time t ₁ required for the water supply from the third set water level c to the fourth set water level d (for example, 3 degrees) which is higher than this. It is started (step S8).

Next, it is judged whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the fourth set water level d (step S9), and the fourth
When it is determined that the set water level d has been reached, the measurement of the time t ₁ is ended (step S10), the water supply solenoid valve 8 is closed and the water supply is stopped (step S11). And then
Rotate the drum 3 for 30 seconds (step S12).

Next, after the rotation for 30 seconds, it is determined whether or not the drum 3 is stopped (step S13). If it is determined that the drum 3 is stopped, 15 seconds after the drum 3 is stopped, It is determined whether or not it has passed (step S14). During this 15 seconds, the water surface inside the drum 3 becomes stationary.

If it is determined in step S14 that 15 seconds have elapsed after the drum 3 was stopped, the detected water level p of the water level detector 25 at that time is stored in the memory (step S15), and then the water supply is performed again. The solenoid valve 8 is opened to start water supply (step S16).

Next, it is judged whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the fifth set water level e (for example, 5 degrees) (step S17), and it is judged that the fifth set water level e has been reached. In this case, the water supply solenoid valve 8 is closed to stop the water supply (step S18). After that, the drum 3 is rotated for 1 minute (step S19).

Next, after the rotation for one minute, it is judged whether or not the drum 3 is stopped (step S20). If it is judged that the drum 3 is stopped, 15 seconds after the drum 3 is stopped, It is determined whether or not it has passed (step S21). During this 15 seconds, the water surface inside the drum 3 becomes stationary. When it is determined in step S21 that 15 seconds have elapsed after the drum 3 was stopped, the detected water level q of the water level detector 25 at that time is stored in the memory (step S22).

When the processing of step S22 is completed, the processing of steps S23 to S35, which will be described later, is executed to obtain the load amount. Before explaining the processing, when the load amount is light load, medium load and heavy load, In each case, the water level is detected from the fourth set water level d through the detected water level p to the detected water level q.
I will explain the standard water level change until.

FIG. 8 is a reference water level for each load until the water level reaches the detected water level q from the fourth set water level d through the detected water level p when the load amount is light load, medium load and heavy load. It is a graph showing changes, in which the vertical axis represents the detected water level and the horizontal axis represents time, showing the relationship between them. However, the characteristics of each of the light load, the medium load, and the heavy load are represented by the values obtained by experiment, which represent the respective loads.

After the water level reaches the fourth set water level d, the drum 3
Is rotated for 30 seconds, which absorbs water into the laundry and reduces the water level by this amount. Detection level p is level after decreasing in this way, until said water level L _p in the figure at light loads by absorption, until the water level M _p in the figure in the middle load, the water level H _p in the heavy load drawing Until the water level goes down. Since the amount of water absorbed in the laundry increases as the load increases, the decrease in the water level from the fourth set water level d to the detected water level p increases as the load increases.

Further, after the detection of the detected water level p, water is supplied, and after the water level reaches the fifth set water level e, the drum 3 is rotated for 1 minute, and this rotation further absorbs water in the laundry, The water level decreases by this absorption. The detected water level q is the water level after being lowered in this way, and due to the absorption, the water level L _q in the figure at light load, the water level M _q in the figure at medium load, and the water level H _{q in the} figure at heavy load. Until,
The water level decreases. Since the amount of water absorbed by the laundry increases as the load increases, the detected water level q from the fifth set water level e
The amount of decrease in the water level up to is higher as the load is higher.

The water level L as described above, obtained experimentally
The values of _p , M _p , H _p , L _q , M _q , and H _q are stored in the memory in advance and used in steps S23 to S25 described below.

When the processing of step S22 as described above is completed, a light load discrimination index L representing how close the load amount of the laundry is to the light load is calculated by the following equation (1) (step S23).

L = | (p−L _p ) + (q−L _q ) | (1)

Next, the medium load discrimination index M representing how close the load amount of the laundry is to the medium load is calculated by the following equation (2) (step S24).

M = | (p−M _p ) + (q−M _q ) | (2)

Next, a heavy load discrimination index H representing how close the load of the laundry is to the heavy load is calculated by the following equation (3) (step S25).

H = | (p−H _p ) + (q−H _q ) | (3)

Each of the light load discrimination index L, the medium load discrimination index M and the heavy load discrimination index H calculated in this way is
The detected water level p and the detected water level q are the reference water levels L _p , M _p and H _p of the detected water level p of the target load (light load, medium load and heavy load) and the reference water level L _{q of} the detected water level _q ,
It represents how close to M _q and H _q ,
Each of the light load discrimination index L, the medium load discrimination index M, and the heavy load discrimination index H has a smaller value, and the actual load amount with respect to the target load (light load, medium load, and heavy load). It represents a close value.

When the light load determination index L, the medium load determination index M and the heavy load determination index H are calculated, it is determined whether or not the heavy load determination index H is less than or equal to the light load determination index L (step S26). ..

If it is determined in step S26 that the heavy load determination index H is less than or equal to the light load determination index L, it is determined whether the heavy load determination index H is less than or equal to the medium load determination index M (step S27). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the heavy load determination index H is not equal to or less than the light load determination index L, it is determined whether the medium load determination index M is equal to or less than the light load determination index L (step S26). S28).

If it is determined in step S27 that the heavy load discrimination index H is less than or equal to the medium load discrimination index M, it is determined that the laundry has a heavy load (step S29).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the heavy load discrimination index H is not equal to or less than the medium load discrimination index M, and in step S28 that the medium load discrimination index M is less than or equal to the light load discrimination index L. If so, it is assumed that the laundry has a medium load (step S30).

If it is determined in step S28 that the medium load determination index M is not less than or equal to the light load determination index L, it is assumed that the laundry is lightly loaded (step S3).
1).

[0066] In step S30, the laundry when it is assumed that the middle load, the value obtained by dividing the time t ₁ measured as described above at time _{t 0 (t 1 / t 0} ), the first said predetermined It is determined whether it is smaller than the threshold value x (step S32). Value obtained by dividing the time t ₁ at time _{t 0 (t 1 / t 0} ) , the water absorption of more laundry high moisture content of the laundry is reduced, whereby since the time t ₁ is short, the washing The higher the water content of the item, the smaller it becomes, and it becomes a parameter for determining whether or not the laundry contains water in advance.

In step S32, the time t _{1 is changed} to the time t
_The value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) divided by ₀ is the predetermined first threshold value x
If it is determined that the load is smaller than the above, it proceeds to step S29 and determines that the laundry is heavily loaded. On the other hand, time t ₁
When it is determined that the value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) obtained by dividing by the time t ₀ is greater than or equal to the predetermined first threshold value x, it is determined that the laundry has a medium load (step S33).

If it is assumed that the laundry is lightly loaded in step S31, the time t measured as described above is used.
_The value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) obtained by dividing ₁ by the time t ₀ is the predetermined second value.
It is determined whether it is smaller than the threshold value y (step S3).
Four).

In step S34, time t _{1 is changed} to time t
_The value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) divided by ₀ is the predetermined second threshold value y.
When it is determined that the load is smaller than that, the process proceeds to step S33, and it is determined that the laundry has a medium load. On the other hand, time t ₁
When it is determined that the value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) obtained by dividing by the time t ₀ is greater than or equal to the predetermined second threshold value y, it is determined that the laundry has a light load (step S35).

When the load amount of the laundry is determined as described above, the process returns to the main routine for controlling the washing machine. Then, the steps after the washing step are sequentially executed.

The load amount determined as described above is used as a parameter for adjusting the operating time or the operating amount in the control performed thereafter. For example, in the washing process, control is performed to make the washing time longer than the specified time as the load increases, in the rinsing process, control is performed to make the rinse time longer than the specified time as the load increases, and in the dehydration process the load is increased. In each process, the optimum operation according to the load amount is performed, such as controlling the dehydration time to be longer than the specified time as the amount increases and controlling the drying time to be longer as the load amount increases in the drying process. It can be carried out.

When the load amount is obtained in this way, it is not necessary to rotate the drum 3 until the laundry is sufficiently absorbed with water, so that the load amount can be obtained in a shorter time than in the conventional case. Since the load amount is determined in consideration of whether or not the item contains water in advance, the load amount can be obtained accurately regardless of the water content of the laundry.

[0073]

As described above in detail, in the washing machine according to the present invention, after the water is supplied up to the predetermined water level in the washing tub containing the laundry, the water level is obtained after the washing tub is rotated for the predetermined time. The load amount having the reference value of the water level after the rotation having the smallest difference with is assumed to represent the load amount of the laundry, but it is required to supply water in a specific water level section until the water level reaches the predetermined water level. The time measurement value distinguishes between laundry containing water in advance and laundry not containing water in advance, and the load amount is determined so that the load amount is not erroneously determined depending on the water content of the laundry. Therefore, the load amount can be accurately detected regardless of the water content of the laundry, and the load amount can be detected even if the laundry does not absorb water sufficiently. The present invention has excellent effects such as the ability to detect That.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view in which the outside of the outer tank is viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inside of the drum as viewed from the front.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the inside of the drum as viewed from the side.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a load amount detection procedure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a load amount.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a reference water level change from a fourth set water level when the load amount is a light load, a medium load, and a heavy load.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Drum 25 Water level detector 100 1st microcomputer

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shigetaka Hattori 2-18 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Kentaro Mochizuki 2-18 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Denki Incorporated (72) Inventor, Yoshikazu Baba, 2-18, Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Kenji Fujii, 2-18, Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. After supplying water to a predetermined water level in a rotary washing tub that stores and rotates laundry, after rotating the laundry for a predetermined time, after rotating the laundry tub In the washing machine that detects the water level of the laundry and obtains the load amount of the laundry in relation to the detection result, the plurality of reference values of the water level after the rotation corresponding to each of the plurality of load amounts of the laundry are stored. Means for setting, a time measuring means for measuring a time required to supply water in a specific water level section until the water level reaches the predetermined water level, a means for obtaining a difference between the detection result and each of the stored reference values, In the respective differences obtained in, the means for assuming the load amount corresponding to the reference value having the smallest difference as the load amount of the laundry, and the assumed load amount in relation to the measurement result of the timing means. And a means for determining .